Warning! Spoilers ahead for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The final fight between Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series finally acknowledges Sir Alec Guinness’ version of the Jedi Master. Lucasfilm’s third Disney+ series wrapped up with an extended capper that delivered on the promise of an intense rematch between the former allies. The pair’s battle in the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale was full of great moments for both characters, including a reference to Guinness’ original iteration of Obi-Wan in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Shortly after it was confirmed that Christensen was joining McGregor in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Lucasfilm also immediately confirmed that the show will see the former allies encounter each other in an epic duel. Billed “rematch of the century,” it was one of, if not the most anticipated aspect of the Disney+ show. The pair initially encountered each other in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3, but it was far from the intense fight that it was supposed to be as the Sith Lord clearly outpowered his former Jedi Master. When they met each other again in the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale, Obi-Wan had finally regained his strength, turning the tables and eventually defeating Darth Vader.
Since it has become his signature fighting pose in the prequels, Obi-Wan just had to start with his two-pointing finger stance as he geared up to duel his former Padawan. At first, the pair’s battle called back to the action set pieces in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, although not as flashy or acrobatic. Somehow, it was reminiscent of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan’s emotional face-off on Mustafar in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. As the battle went on and he grew more and more comfortable in his skills, Obi-Wan ultimately transitioned into Guinness’ fighting style as seen in A New Hope, holding his lightsaber with both hands instead of just one. This is the first time that Obi-Wan Kenobi made a clear reference to Guinness as the show primarily leaned on what came before it rather than what lay ahead.
For context, the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi take place 10 years after Order 66. It would be another decade before Guinness’ Obi-Wan had his adventure in A New Hope. Since McGregor plays the role in the limited series, it makes sense that the storytelling focuses on his take on the Jedi Master. Still, there have been comments about how fast the character seemingly aged in the next decade following the Disney+ series seeing as McGregor’s iteration looks significantly younger than Guinness’ in the original Star Wars film. This shouldn’t be that big of a problem as it is where suspension of disbelief should come in. There are simply two actors playing the same role; it isn’t any kind of plot hole. Lucasfilm’s responsibility was to make sure that McGregor and Guinness’ versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi were in sync so as not to create any narrative inconsistencies, and for the most part, they did it.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi series functions as a transitional story between the prequel and original trilogies. For now, it remains a limited series, with no official plans for a second year. That doesn’t mean, however, that season 2 is totally off the table, especially since there’s still a full decade between McGregor’s version and Guinness’ take on the character.
Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1 is now available to stream on Disney+.
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